Apparatus for obtaining criminal confessions and photographically recording them



March 4, 1930. H. A. SHELBY 1,7 9,09

APPARATUS FOR osmmme CRIMINAL CONFESSIONS AND PHOTGGRAPHIGALLY- maconnme THEM Filed Aug. 1.0. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. )1 flew H sung,

Patented Mar. 4, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT; OFFICE HELENE ADELAIDE SHELBY,

F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING CRIMINAL CONFESSIONS AND PHOTOGBAPHICALLY I RECORDING THEM;

Application filed August 16, 1927. Serial 1T0. 212,102.

The present invention relates to a new and useful apparatus for obtaining confessions from culprits, or those suspected of the commission of crimes, and photographically recording these confessions, inthe form of sound waves, in conjunction with their pictures, depicting their every expression and emotion, to be preserved for later reproduction as evidence against them.

The primary object of my invention is the provision of an apparatus for the creation of illusory efiects calculated to impress the subject with their being of a supernatural character and to so work upon his imagination as to enable an inquisitor operating in conjunction with-the recording system to obtain confessions and graphically record them by light action under the control of electric impulses governed by varying intensities of sound waves.

Anadditional object of my invention is the provision of an apparatus for photographically recording 0th pictures and sounds simultaneously as applied to the confessions of criminals, for their later reproduction as a bar to future retractions.

' It'is a well known fact in criminal practice that confessions obtained initially from those suspected of crimes through ordinary channels, are almost invariably later retracted, or repudiated, by the criminal with the charge that these confessions had been obtained through intimidation, or under duress.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the apparatus as adapted to be employed in carrying out my method of procuring and recording these confessions of guilt to be later reproduced as evidence.

Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrative of a structure divided into two chambers, one chamber of which is darkened to provide quarters in which the suspect is confined while being subjected to examination, the other chamber being provided for the examiner, the two chambers being separated from each other by a partition which is provided with a panel upon one side of which is mounted a figure in the form of a skeleton, the said skeleton having the rear J portion of the skull removed and the recording apparatus inserted therein as shown;

Figure 2 is a fr nt view looking into the enclosure in which the skeleton is mounted and as seen looking from the suspects examination quarters.

Figure 3 is a schematic view illustrating the method of photographically recording the prisoners features and voice; and

Figure 4 is a View illustrating a fragment of film having a central picture strip and side strips for the recordatlon of the prisoners voice.

My apparatus for obtaining confessions of guilt from criminals undergoing examination comprises a novel combination of well known elements, arranged in such manner and combination as to produce, when oper ated, a state of mind calculated to cause him, if guilty, to make confession thereof, the apparatus further operating to record 7 photographically his every expression and emotion, while, at the same time, simultaneously recording his examiners questions and the replies thereto.

The elements comprising my apparatus consist of a dark enclosure 5 constituting the chamber in which the suspect undergoes examination in which the subject 6 is placed. This chamber 5 is separated from the ex aminers chamber 7 by a panel 8 and a partition 9, said panel and partition bearing an intermediate aperture 10, which aperture is provided with a framed opening 11.

A platform 12 is mounted upon the floor 13 and extends under the panel 8 and con sists of a light chamber 14 having a glass top 15, in which is mounted a plurality of electric lights having reflectors adapted to refiect the light upwardly through and about a skeleton 16 mounted upon said glass top, said skeleton being supported by a brace 17 extending from the panel 8.

The rear portion of the skull of the skeleton is removed and a camera casing 18 is mounted in the panel 8 extending into the skull, said camera being preferabl of the continuously-moving film-t pe an having provisions for simultaneous y recording pictures and sound waves, or reproducing these, as may be desired or required, the said camera 15 impression upon the having an objective 19 adapted to register with the nose, or other opening, 20 in the skull. The eye-sockets 21 are rovided with bulbs 22 adapted to impress ifierent light intensities u on the margins 22 and 23 of the film 24, t e central section 25 of the film being arranged to receive the pictures, the variations in the light intensities of the bulbs 22 being governed by means of the microphones 26, and selenium cells (not shown), which are included in the light circuit and tend to cause the fluctuations of the current to vary the intensity of the light for sound recording purposes, the density of the light film varying with the intensity of the light thus transmitted.

The skeleton 16 is arranged in front of the panel 8, with its feet resting upon the glass top of the light chamber 14, the lights 27 i mounted in this chamber being adapted to flood the entire skeleton from the feet up, while a second source of light 28 mounted upon the panel 8 over the skull of the skeleton, as shown 1n Figure 1, is adapted for additional flooding from an opposite direction, the

purpose being to produce the appearance of an apparition having a translucent outer, or astral body, and a diaphanous veiling constituting the so-called aura, the lighting being 0 of a character adapted to flood with a ghostly light and to brin out clearly the skeleton s outlines. To ad to themystification, the bulbs 22, forming the eyes of the skeleton, will be caused to blink, upon the subjects-replyin to questions while under examination, th1s blinking resulting from the variations in the sound waves as governed by the microphones controlling the electric circuits;

It-is immaterial as to whether the objective 19 is ositioned to direct the rays upon the revolu 1e prism system 29 of the camera 18, or to receive the rays as reflected thereby, though, in this construction it has been elected to place it in a position for directing rays upon it, as has been the positioning, also, of the electric light bulbs. The light bulbs 22 are of either the usual evacuated order, or gas filled, but differ in that one-half of the bulb is of blue color, while the other half is of red, to meet the double require ments of the emitted light, the blue being used as better adapted for the recordation of the sound waves, and the red for the purpose of imparting to the eyes of the skeleton an unnatural ghastly glow.

The camera and projector may be operated by means of a small motor un er the direct control of the operator 30, who manipulates the various controls mounted upon a suitable switch board carried by the panel 8, the various light circuits being also controlled by switches mounted upon the board 31.

A megaphone 32 is arranged for the convenience of the examiner, in questioning a suspect, the outer end of said megaphone being connected to the skull of the skeleton in such manner that the voice of the operator appears to come from the mouth of the skeleton.

chamber 7, the cur nt for the divers lights for the creation of e lighting effects previously described is switched on, the motor started, and the curtain 34 raised to expose the skeleton to the view of the suspect, who is thereafter subjected to a cross-examination, beingphotographed the while upon the central section of a continuously movin film and having both the questions propoun ed by his examiner and his answers thereto simultaneously and similarl recorded upon either margin of the film caring also the suspects portrait, to be preserved as future evidence against'him, in the form of reproductions of both pictures and sounds in the usual manner.

aving thus described my method of obtaining confessions from those criminally suspected and photographically recording these confessions, together with other pertinent matter connected therewith, for later reproduction as evidence, I claim, and desire to secure by \Letters Patent:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a chamber divided into compartments having partitioning means therebetween, an apparition disposed in one of said compartments and supported by said partitioning means, said apparition comprising a skeleton, a-transparent envelop therefor constituting its body, means comprising an electrical circuit and a plurality of electric bulbs for suitably lighting said body to produce ghastly efl'ects, electric bulbs in the sockets of the cranium of said skeleton, the said bulbs having exteriorly the appearance of e eballs when illuminated, a camera within said cranium adapted to photographically and simultaneously record both.scenes and words, and an electric circuit for suitably li hting the bulbs of the cranium, said circuitsieing controlled by switches carried by a switch-board located in the rear of said partitioning means.

2. An apparatus of the class described, comprising a chamber divided into compartments having partitioning means therebetween, an apparition disposed within one of said compartments and supported by said partitioning means, said apparition comprising a skeleton, a transparent envelop therefor constituting its body and a diaphanousshroudingenclosin said body, a hollow base for the support said skeleton, comprising a box-like structure provided with a transparent top and having arranged interiorly thereof. electric globes with properly supported reflective elements, and a rollcurtain in one of said compartments. adapted when dropped to screen said apparition.

3. A device of the class described, comprising a chamber divided into compartments having partitioning means therebetween, an apparition disposed in one of said comartments and supported by said partitioning means, said apparition comprising a 5 skeleton, a. transparent envelop therefor constituting its body and a diaphanous shrouding enclosing said body, a hollow base for the support of said skeleton, comprising a boxlike structure provided with a transparent to top and having arranged interiorly thereof electric globes with properly supported reflective elements, a roll-curtain arranged in front of said skeleton and adapted when dropped to screen said apparition and a megaphone supported by said partitioning means and connecting the interior of one of said compartments with the interior of the cranium element of said skeleton.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

HELENE ADELAIDE SHELBY. 

